By Joe O’Donoghue

June 25, 2008

The late Jean-Michel Folon, a Belgian artist, illustrated brilliantly, in bright color form, the desolate voids of 20th century cities and their inhabitants.

This blank verse entitled “A Political Urban Legacy” was influenced by Jean-Michel’s graphics. He is best known for his illustrations of Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis.”

A Political Urban Legacy

Bureaucratic-honed streets of emptiness, where, in angst silence,

most pass each other by.

Elongated spaces, rimmed by offish, impermeable concrete erections.

Looming Parnassus like, these structures dampen the hum

of moving toxic engines.

Everywhere, separation intoned.

Strangers all, to all

A Nietzeschian fear embalmed.

A Zeitgeist Nihilism embraced.

As light and evening to dusk fades

Hear now a cry! A muffled shriek!

A loud reverberating booming sound

Screeching, skidding wheels,

A distant siren, wailing.

Notated; another victim.

Yet roaming still at large unfettered — marauders,

Meantime, laconic officials

In catatonic mien, sleep unperturbed — indifferent.